Wireless interrogation and wireless charging of electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, wireless chargers combined with wireless interrogators. The wireless chargers can transmit power wirelessly, while also wirelessly interrogating a nearby transponder, such as an RFID tag. The wireless chargers with wireless interrogators can also be programmable to allow user-implemented rules operable in response to an interrogation. Such rules can impose restrictions upon whether wireless charging is allowed to take place. Such rules can also be used to select a power-transmitting protocol that is particularly suited for the electronic device being charged. Other embodiments are disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

U.S. Pat. No. 8,193,764, filed Aug. 8, 2007, by Daniel BenjaminJakubowski, entitled “Wireless Charging of Electronic Devices.” Allsections of the aforementioned patent are incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to wireless interrogation and wirelesscharging of electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Wireless power transmission or wireless energy transfer is generally theprocess that takes place in any system where electrical energy istransmitted from a power source to an electrical load, withoutinterconnecting wires. Devices that utilize wireless power transmissionto charge or recharge a battery in an electronic device (e.g., cellularphone) are commonly referred to as wireless chargers or contact-lesschargers.

Wireless chargers known in the art are typically placed on a surfacesuch as the surface of a desktop or a countertop. An electronic devicecan then be placed on the wireless charger to charge the electronicdevice. Alternately, a wireless charger may be placed on the undersideof a desktop or countertop. A user of the wireless charger can thenplace the electronic device to be charged on the desktop or countertopwithin range of the wireless charger. By within range it is herein meantthat the electronic device to be charged is sufficiently close to thewireless charger such that the electronic device can receive powerwirelessly transmitted from the wireless charger. In this manner, theuser of the wireless charger does not see the wireless charger becausethe wireless charger is underneath the desktop or countertop. The usersees only the electronic device that the wireless charger is charging.

Wireless interrogation systems can include transceivers to generatewireless interrogation signals. Sometimes the transponders are referredto as “readers.” Transponders within wireless range can be configured togenerate a wireless reply signal in response to the wirelessinterrogation signal. The transceivers can detect information encoded onthe wireless reply signals.

Wireless interrogation systems can be distinguished according to threegeneral categories: passive reader-active tag; active reader-passivetag; and active reader-active tag. Examples of active readers includetransponders that generate wireless interrogation signals, for example,by way of radio frequency or light wave transmitters. Examples ofpassive tags include tags that provide back scatter signals includingencoded information obtained from the tags. Examples of passive tagsinclude bar codes and Q codes. Backscatter obtained by way of light wavereflections can be used to detect information encoded onto such passivetags. Examples of active tags include devices that are self-powered orobtain power from the interrogation signal. Such active tags use thepower to generate a wireless reply signal, such as a radio frequencysignal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram of a combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator in accordance with embodiments of inventivematter disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator in accordance with embodiments of inventivematter disclosed herein;

FIGS. 3A and 3B provides perspective views of a combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator systems in-use, in accordance with embodimentsof inventive matter disclosed herein;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator in accordance with embodiments of inventivematter disclosed herein;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate waveforms of alternative forms of wirelesssignals provided by a combined wireless charger-and-interrogator inaccordance with embodiments of inventive matter disclosed herein;

FIG. 5C illustrates a frequency spectrum of the wireless signaldescribed by the waveform of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 illustrates operations performable by a programmable combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator in accordance with embodiments ofinventive matter disclosed herein;

FIG. 7 illustrates operations performable by a programmable combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator in accordance with embodiments ofinventive matter disclosed herein;

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate operations performable by a programmable combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator in accordance with embodiments ofinventive matter disclosed herein; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments of wireless interrogation and wireless charging ofelectronic devices. Other embodiments are included in the subjectdisclosure.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a wireless chargerhaving a housing containing a wireless power-receiving device. Thewireless power-receiving device includes receive circuitry and a receivecoil located within the housing. The wireless charger also contains aseparate wireless power-transmitting device including transmit circuitryand a transmit coil, also located within the housing. The power-handlingcontroller includes electronic hardware connecting the receive circuitrywith the transmit circuitry to transfer the power received by thewireless power-receiving device to the wireless power-transmittingdevice. The wireless charger also includes interrogation circuitry incommunication with the transmit coil. The interrogation circuitryincludes signal transmitting circuitry to cause the transmit coil togenerate a wireless interrogation signal. The interrogation circuitryalso includes signal-receiving circuitry to obtain information from awireless interrogation response signal in response to the transmit coilreceiving the wireless interrogation response signal. The wirelesscharger is capable of simultaneously receiving power wirelessly andtransmitting the power wirelessly from the power-transmitting deviceoutside of the wireless charger. The wireless charger is also capable ofaccomplishing at least one of transmitting the wireless interrogationsignal and obtaining the information from the wireless interrogationresponse signal.

Another embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a process thatincludes receiving a first wireless power signal by way of apower-receiving coil. A transmitting coil-drive current is generatedresponsive to the receiving of the first wireless power signal. A secondwireless power signal is generated by way of a power-transmitting coil,in response to the generating of the transmitting coil-drive current. Awireless interrogation signal is transmitted by way thepower-transmitting coil, to cause a transponder to generate a wirelessinterrogation reply signal. The wireless interrogation reply signal isreceived by way of the power-transmitting coil.

Yet another embodiment of the subject disclosure includes awireless-charging system, including a power-receiving coil. Thepower-receiving coil generates an electrical current in response to afirst wireless power signal. Power conversion circuitry is coupled tothe power-receiving coil to convert the electrical current to acoil-driving current. A power-transmitting coil is coupled to the powerconversion circuitry to transmit a second wireless power signalresponsive to the coil-driving current. The power-transmitting coil isalso configured to transmit an interrogation signal to cause atransponder to generate a wireless reply signal, and to receive thewireless reply signal. A controller is provided in communication withthe power-transmitting coil. The controller includes a memory to storecomputer instructions and a processor in communication with the memory.The processor, responsive to executing the computer instructions,performs operations including determining from the wireless reply signalthat the transponder is proximate to the power-transmitting coil.

In accordance with particular embodiments of inventive matter disclosedherein, combined wireless charger-and-interrogators are provided.Generally, these combined wireless charger-and-interrogators compriseboth a wireless power-receiving device and a wireless power-transmittingdevice, although some embodiments can include a wirelesspower-transmitting device without necessarily having a wirelesspower-receiving device. The wireless power-transmitting device providesa wireless power signal suitable for supplying electrical powerwirelessly to another unattached electrically powered device, as may beuseful for providing power to allow for operation of the other device.Having both a wireless power-receiving device and a wirelesspower-transmitting device allows the wireless chargers to simultaneouslyreceive power from an unattached electrical power source and to transmitpower derived from the unattached electrical power source to theunattached electrical device.

The wireless interrogators can communicate wirelessly with otherunattached wireless communication devices, such as near-fieldcommunication devices and transponders, including radio frequencyidentification (RFID) transponders, sometimes referred to as “tags.”Unattached wireless communication devices, or transponders, can providewireless reply signals in response interrogation by wirelessinterrogation signals provided by the wireless interrogators. In atleast some embodiments, wireless power transmissions of the wirelesschargers are adjusted in response to such responses to wirelessinterrogation signals. As disclosed herein, various other features canbe controlled in response to one or more of the wireless interrogationor the wireless power charging.

The wireless chargers can include controllers that are capable ofcontrolling one or more aspects of a transfer power received by thewireless power-receiving devices to the wireless power-transmittingdevices. The controllers can also be configured to cooperate with thewireless interrogators, for example, by originating interrogationmessages, by interpreting responses to the interrogation messages, or bycontrolling aspects associated with the transfer of power in response tosuch interrogation responses. In at least some embodiments, the wirelesschargers also include housings that contain the components, modules,and/or subsystems of the wireless chargers. The housings allow thewireless chargers to be portable. In particular embodiments, thewireless chargers can comprise additional components and features asdescribed herein.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an example combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator in accordance with embodiments of inventivematter disclosed herein. A combined wireless charger-and-interrogator100 receives a first wireless power signal from another unattachedwireless charging device, such as a wireless charging pad 102. Thewireless charging pad 102 can receive electrical power from a suitablepower source, such as facility power originating from a utility powerprovider, from a battery, and/or from local power generation. Thecombined wireless charger-and-interrogator 100 transmits a secondwireless power signal to an unattached device or unit to be charged,sometimes referred to as a unit under charge 104, particularly whenengaging in wireless power charging. The second wireless power signal isconfigured to provide sufficient electrical power to allow for operationof the unit under charge 104. For example, the second wireless powersignal can be used to charge a power storing device, such as a battery,of the unit under charge 104, which, in turn, provides electrical powerto the unit under charge 104.

The combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 100 also transmits awireless interrogation signal 105. The wireless interrogation signal105, when intercepted by a transponder 106 within wireless range of thewireless interrogation signal 105, causes the transponder 106 to emit awireless response signal 107. The transponder 106 can be attached to orintegral with the unit under charge 104. Alternatively or in additionthe transponder 106 can be separate from the unit under charge 104, forexample being placed on another person or movable object. The combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator 100 receives the wireless responsesignal 107. Wireless response signals 107 from the transponders 106typically provide a means of identification, such as an identificationcode that may, in some instances, be unique. Such identification codesallow the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 100 to distinguishwireless reply signals 107 from multiple transponders 106 or RFID tags.In at least some embodiments the interrogation signal and responsesignals occur during the wireless charging of the unit under charge 104.

A user interface 110 can be provided in combination with, or integralto, the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 100. The userinterface 110 can be used, for example, in operating, configuring,and/or maintaining the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 100.The user interface 110 can include a user entry device such askeyboards, keypads, touchscreens, pointing devices and the like and userfeedback devices, such as alphanumeric displays, graphical displays,indicator lights, audio alerts and the like.

The combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 100 can also include oneor more communication interfaces, such as a telecommunication interfaceand/or a network interface allowing communication with remote devicessuch as a remote server 112 through one or more networks 114. The server112 can be configured to support one or more aspects of operation of thecombined wireless charger-and-interrogator 100 and/or operation of otherfeatures in response to operation of the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 100. In some embodiments, the server 112 caninclude one or more applications, such as any of the exampleapplications disclosed herein.

In some embodiments the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 100is in communication with one or more other devices such as a securitydevice 108. The security device 108 can include a locking mechanism thatis monitored and/or control by the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 100. The security device 108 can be physicallycoupled to the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 100, forexample by a wire harness or cable. Alternatively or in addition, thesecurity device 108 can be wirelessly coupled to the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 100, for example, by a wireless communicationlink. Such wireless communication links can include IEEE.802.11compliant wireless links, such as Wifi®, Bluetooth®, etc. In someembodiments, the security device 108 is communicatively coupled to thecombined wireless charger-and-interrogator 100 by a network, such as alocal area network, e.g., Ethernet, or a wide area network, such as atelecommunications network, and/or the Internet. The security device108, or locking mechanism, can be controlled to selectively block orunlock according to interrogation response signals, charge statussignals, external signals received via the network interface orcombinations of such signals.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200 in accordance with embodiments of inventivematter disclosed herein. The combined wireless charger-and-interrogator200 includes wireless power-receiving device 201 including a receivecoil 202 and receive circuitry 204. Wireless power-receiving devices 201useful in the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 can bemanufactured and used in accordance with technology known in the art forproducing wireless power-receiving devices. For example, the receivecircuitry 204 can rectify an alternating voltage induced in the receivecoil 202 by a first wireless power signal resulting in a substantiallyconstant, notwithstanding ripple, or direct current voltage.

Analogously, a wireless power-transmitting device 205 can include atransmit coil 206 and transmit circuitry 208. Wirelesspower-transmitting devices useful in the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200 can also be manufactured and used inaccordance with technology known in the art for producing wirelesspower-transmitting devices. For example, the transmit circuitry 208 canproduce an alternating voltage and/or current, having a predeterminedfrequency, amplitude, duty cycle, etc., from a voltage and/or current,including direct current or substantially constant values of voltageand/or current supplied to the transmit circuitry 208 during operationof the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 and supply theproduced alternating voltage to the transmit coil 206. Also by way ofexample, the transmit circuitry 208 can produce a predetermined level ofintensity of an inductive and/or radiated field of the transmit coil206. The inductive and/or radiated field of the transmit coil 206 givesrise to a second wireless power signal 209.

An unattached electronic device-to-be-charged 222 can be positioned witha wireless range of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200.When so positioned, the device-to-be-charged 222 can derive electricalpower from the second wireless power signal 209. For example, theelectronic device-to-be-charged 222 can be configured to include or becombined with power-charging circuitry 224 adapted to convert anintercepted portion of the second wireless power signal 209 into usableelectrical power as may be used to operate the device 222 or charge apower storage device, such as a batter, to provide such electrical powerfor operation of the device 222.

The combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 includes a wirelesstransceiver 220. The wireless transceiver is in communication with thewireless power transmitting device 205, for example, through one or moreof the transmit circuitry 208 and the transmit coil 206. The wirelesstransceiver or interrogator 220 generates an interrogation signal. Theinterrogation signal causes the wireless power transmitting device 205to emit a wireless interrogation signal 211. The wireless interrogationsignal 211 when intercepted by one or more transponders 226 a and/or 226b, causes the one or more transponders 226 a, 226 b to respectively emita wireless reply signal. In at least some embodiments the wireless replysignal is intercepted by the transmit coil 206 of the wireless powertransmitting device 205 and/or separate antenna 221 (shown in phantom).The intercepted wireless reply signal can be routed to a receiverportion of the wireless transceiver 220, for example, through thetransmit circuitry 208. Being so configured the wireless transceiver 220of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 can interrogateremote, unattached transponders 226 a, 226 b using the common transmitcoil 206. It is envisioned that in at least some embodiments thewireless transceiver 220 can communicate with remote transponders 226 aand/or 226 b by way of a separate coil and/or antenna in combinationwith or instead of the transmit coil 206.

The control circuitry 210 of the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200 can be configured to control operation ofthe combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 as described herein.The control circuitry 210 can comprise hardware alone (e.g., circuitry)or can include both hardware and software. The control circuitry 210 canbe implemented by one of ordinary skill in the electronic arts withoutundue experimentation using technology that is known in the art. Thistechnology can include, for example, application specific integratedcircuits (ASICS), a microprocessor executing code that is designed toimplement one or more of the functions and methods described herein,programmable logic arrays, digital signal processors, etc. Examples ofcontrol circuitry 210 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,193,764,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The control circuitry 210 can be in electrical communication between thewireless power receiving device 201 and the wireless power transmittingdevice 205 and configured to transfer electrical power wirelesslyreceived by the wireless power-receiving device 201 to the wirelesspower-transmitting device 205. In some embodiments, the controlcircuitry 210 can transfer electrical power directly from the wirelesspower-receiving device 201 to the wireless power-transmitting device205. For example, the control circuitry 210 can supply the transmitcircuitry 208 with direct current voltage and/or current provided to thecontrol circuitry 210 from the receive circuitry 204.

In particular embodiments, the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200 can additionally comprise a rechargeablebattery. For example, the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200includes a rechargeable battery 212 and charge/discharge circuitry 214.The control circuitry 210 can transfer power received wirelessly by thewireless power-receiving device to the rechargeable battery 212 insteadof transferring the power directly to the wireless power-transmittingdevice. The combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 includescharge/discharge circuitry 214 in communication with the rechargeablebattery 212 and the control circuitry 210 that controls the charging anddischarging of the rechargeable battery 212. When the rechargeablebattery 212 is charged, the control circuitry 210 can transfer powerfrom the rechargeable battery 212 to the wireless power-transmittingdevice. For example, the control circuitry 210 can supply the transmitcircuitry 208 with direct current voltage provided to the control logic210 by the charge/discharge circuitry 214.

In particular embodiments, the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200 can include other features and components,such as a display mechanism 216 for providing a user with an indicationof the operating status of the wireless charger and a settings mechanism218 providing a user of the wireless charger with ability to selectparameters for the operation of the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200 as disclosed herein.

In particular embodiments, the control circuitry 210 is capable ofoperating the wireless power-transmitting device of the combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator 200 to wirelessly transmit power inaccordance with a selectable power-transmitting protocol. Theseembodiments are referred to herein as programmable embodiments. Inparticular embodiments, the power-transmitting protocol is selected by auser of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200. Inparticular embodiments, the power-transmitting protocol can be selectedby the electronic device to be charged 222.

In particular embodiments, a selectable power-transmitting protocol caninclude, for example, a particular frequency at which the transmitcircuitry 208 produces an alternating voltage that the transmitcircuitry 208 supplies to the transmit coil 206. Thus, selecting a firstpower-transmitting protocol can cause the transmit circuitry 208 toproduce an alternating voltage at a particular frequency and selecting asecond power-transmitting protocol may cause the transmit circuitry 208to produce and alternating voltage at a different frequency.Analogously, a particular power-transmitting protocol may include, forexample, a particular level of intensity of an inductive field for thetransmitting coil 206. Thus, selecting a first power-transmittingprotocol may cause the transmit circuitry 208 to produce a particularlevel of intensity of the inductive field, whereas selecting a secondpower-transmitting protocol may cause the transmit circuitry 208 toproduce a different level of intensity for the inductive field. Otheraspects of any such power-transmitting protocol can include, withoutlimitation, frequency, duty cycle, pulse shape, pulse position, quality,or Q factor, inductance, tolerances of any of such features, such as Qtolerance or inductance tolerance, etc. It is understood that one ormore aspects of any of the wireless transfer protocols discussed hereincan be defined or otherwise specified in one or more standards, orotherwise identified, for example, by such organizations as the Alliancefor Wireless Power (http://www.a4wp.org/), and Qi, a standard forwireless charging promoted by the Wireless Power Consortium(http://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com).

In particular embodiments, the wireless interrogator 220 including awireless communication device can be used to identify one or morepower-transmitting protocols for the electronic device to be charged222. By way of illustrative example, the electronic device to be charged222 includes a transponder 226 a, such as in RFID tag. In response towireless interrogation, the RFID tag 226 a provides a wireless replysignal encoded with an identification code. In some embodiments,identification code includes a field that identifies one or more powertransmitting protocols suitable for use with the device to be charged222. In particular embodiments, the received information may be a singlenumeric value that the control circuitry recognizes as being associatedwith a particular power-transmitting protocol. In other embodiments, thereceived information may include values that correspond to parameters ofa power-transmitting protocol, such as the frequency of alternatingvoltage and the intensity of the inductive field as discussed above.Alternatively or in addition, the identification code can be used toidentify such suitable power transmitting protocols by reference, e.g.,using a lookup table.

Alternatively or in addition, the control circuitry 210 is capable ofassociating a selectable button of the settings mechanism 218 with apower-transmitting protocol identified by a received identification. Inthis manner, a user of the wireless charger 210 places an electronicdevice to be charged 222 within wireless range of the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200 and selects a power-transmitting protocol(e.g., by selecting a button) that is suited for charging the electronicdevice 222.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a charging system 300utilizing the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 of FIG. 2in conjunction with another wireless charger 302 in accordance withembodiments of inventive matter disclosed herein. FIG. 3A shows a firstwireless charger 302 positioned underneath a portion of a supportingplatform, such as a desktop 304, with the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200 positioned on top of the desktop 304.

The first wireless charger 302 comprises a power cord 306 through whichthe first wireless charger 302 can receive conducted electrical powerfrom a standard power source, such as a 120 Volt utility outlet commonlyfound in residential and office buildings or a 12 Volt source as iscommonly used in the auto industry. The first wireless charger 302 iscapable of wirelessly transmitting power by way of a first wirelesspower signal 308 through the desktop 304 to the second combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200. The second combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200, in turn, is capable of receiving thewirelessly transmitted power by way of the first wireless power signal308. The wireless power-receiving device 201 (FIG. 2) of the secondcombined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 can receive thewirelessly transmitted power.

In particular embodiments, the first wireless charger 302 is capable ofwirelessly transmitting communications 310 and the second combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator 200 is capable of receiving thewirelessly transmitted communications 310. In particular embodiments,the second combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 is capable ofwirelessly transmitting communications 312 and the first wirelesscharger 302 is capable of receiving the wirelessly transmittedcommunications 312. The first wireless charger 302 also includes acommunications port 314 (e.g., a USB port) that allows the firstwireless charge 302 to be communicatively connected, for example, to acomputer or directly to a network (e.g., the internet). The firstwireless charger 302 can receive power-transmitting protocols via thecommunications port 314 and wirelessly communicate the protocols to thesecond combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 so that the secondcombined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 can associate eachreceived protocol with a selectable button, e.g., of the settingsmechanism 218.

A user of the second combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 cancharge an electronic device 322 by placing the electronic device to becharged 322 within range of the wireless power-transmitting device 205(FIG. 2) of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200. The usercan accomplish this, for example, by placing the electronic device to becharged 322 on top of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator200. The user equipment allows the user to select a particularpower-transmitting protocol for charging the electronic device 322 byallowing selection of one of the selectable buttons of the settingsmechanism 318.

The second combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 can beportable. Thus, the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 canstill be used to charge electronic devices 322 even if it is removedfrom within range of the first wireless charger 302. For example, a usermay wish to take the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator 200 withthem to charge an electronic device while they are traveling. Thebattery indicator 314 will indicate to the user when the combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator 200 itself needs to be recharged. Whenthe user returns from traveling, the user can place the combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator 200 within range of the first wirelesscharger 302 so that the second combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200 can be recharged, if necessary. Since thefirst wireless charger 302 can be positioned out of sight on theunderneath side of the desktop 304, the user can use a chargingindicator 316, e.g., a light, to determine when the second wirelesscharge 200 is within range of the first wireless charger 302.

Referring next to FIG. 3B, a charger and interrogator is provided incombination with a container. The wireless charger-and-interrogator, forexample, can provide container 200′ by extending its housing 230 (FIG.2) to define a relatively large cavity, or adding an extension to thehousing 230 to define the cavity for holding items, such as one or moredevices to be charged. In some embodiments, the wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200 (FIG. 2) and container 200′ are formed asan assembly. The container 200′, for example, can be an open container,as in a shelf, a bin or a trough, or in the form of a closed orcloseable container, such as a briefcase, a suitcase, a handbag, safe,storage locker, and the like. In the illustrative example, the container200′ includes a lid 201′ that can be opened and closed. A unit to becharged can be placed into the interior cavity of the container 200′,and charged by the wireless power charging signal while inside thecontainer whether the container 200′ is open, closed or locked.

In at least some embodiments, a locking mechanism 323′ can be providedto allow for controllable access to the interior cavity of the container200′. Such locking mechanism 323′ can be controlled, for example, by anyof the techniques disclosed herein related to security and/or operationof locking mechanisms. Alternatively or in addition, the lockingmechanism 323′ can be controlled by a separate device, such as a key, akey fob, and the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates in more detail an embodiment of a combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator device 400. The device 400 includes the primarycharging coil 406. The primary charging coil 406 is energized by a coildriving current 407. The device 400 includes power transmit circuitry408 coupled to the primary charging coil 406. In the illustrativeexample the power transmit circuitry 408 provides a first currentportion 409 of the coil driving current. The device 400 also includessignal transmit/receive circuitry 432. In the illustrative example thesignal transmit/receive circuitry 432 provides a second current portion411 of the coil driving current. In the example configuration, the firstcoil driving current portion 409 and the second coil driving currentportion 411 are summed at a current node 413 to form the coil drivingcurrent 407.

The device 400 includes power handling circuitry 410 coupled to thepower transmit circuitry 408. In at least some embodiments, the device400 also includes one or more batteries 411. The power handlingcircuitry 410 can obtain electrical power from an external source suchas conducted facility power and/or a received wireless power signal. Thepower handling circuitry 410 can be configured to provide the first coildriving current portion 409 suitable for generating a wireless powersignal 415 according to a particular wireless power protocol. Thewireless power signal 415 can be intercepted by an unattached secondarycharging coil 424, for example a charging coil of a device to be charged322 (FIG. 3A). In some embodiments, the device 400 includes circuitryfor charging a battery 411, when present and/or managing other aspectsof battery operation, such as controlling when the battery 411 ischarging, and when the battery 411 is supplying power to other circuitsof the wireless power charger, e.g., when power input is not availablefrom another source, such as another wireless power source. Suchcircuitry can be included within the power handling circuitry 410, asillustrated, or provided by one or more other circuits or modules,either alone or in combination with the power handling circuitry 410.

In at least some embodiments the device 400 includes a user configurablecontroller 434. The user configurable controller 434 can be coupled tothe power handling circuitry 410 allowing a user to control aspects ofthe power handling circuitry 410, such as identification of a particularwireless protocol. In order to facilitate user configuration of the userconfigurable controller 434, the device 400 can include a user interface436 in communication with the user configurable controller 434.

And interrogator 420 is provided in communication with the signaltransmit/receive circuitry 432. The interrogator 420 causes the signaltransmit/receive circuitry 432 to generate the second coil drivingcurrent portion 411. In at least some embodiments the interrogator 420causes the signal transmit/receive circuitry 432 to generate the secondcoil driving current portion 411 according to a particular interrogationprotocol. The second coil driving current portion 411 causes the primarycharging coil 406 to generate a wireless interrogation signal 417. Thewireless interrogation signal 417 can be intercepted by an unattachedtransponder 426, such as a transponder 426 associated with or otherwisecoupled to the unit under charge 403, such as the device to be charged322 illustrated in FIG. 3A.

The transponder 426, when positioned within wireless range of theinterrogation signal 417, produces a wireless response signal 419. Theprimary charging coil 406 intercepts a portion of the wireless responsesignal 419 when within wireless range of the wireless response signal419. The intercepted portion of the wireless response signal 419 inducesa wireless response current within the primary charging coil 406. Thewireless response current can be detected by the signal transmit/receivecircuitry 432. In at least some embodiments indications of the responsesignal detected by the signal transmit/receive circuitry 432 is routedto the interrogator 420. The interrogator 420 when provided incommunication with the user configurable controller 434 can provideindications of the response signal usable by the configurable controller434. For example the user configurable controller can be preconfiguredto adjust the first coil driving current portion 409 in reaction to theresponse signal by way of the power handling circuitry 410 and the powertransmit circuitry 408. Such adjustments can include one or more ofactivation of the power transmit circuitry 408 to produce the first coildriving current portion 409, deactivation of the power transmitcircuitry 408 to terminate the first coil driving current portion 409,adjustment of the power transmit circuitry 408 to increase and ordecrease the first coil driving current portion 409.

FIG. 5 A illustrates an example of a waveform 500 of the composite coildriving current 407 (FIG. 4). In the illustrative example, the coildriving current waveform 500 includes a first portion 502 to indicativeof the first coil driving current 409 (FIG. 4). In the illustrativeexample, the first portion 502 to includes a first sine wave having arelatively large amplitude and a relatively large period. The coildriving current waveform 500 also includes a second portion 504indicative of the second coil driving current 411 (FIG. 4). In theillustrative example, the second portion 504 includes a second sine wavehaving a relatively small amplitude in a relatively short period. Inparticular, the resulting waveform 500 includes the second portion 504superimposed upon the first portion 502. A transponder, such as an RFIDtransponder can include one or more frequency-selective circuitelements, such as filters, e.g., tank circuits, to differentiatedetection of a wireless signal related to the second portion 504 in thepresence of a wireless signal related to the first portion 502. Such awaveform can be obtained by modulating the wireless power signalaccording to the wireless transponder signal. One or more of anysuitable forms of modulation can be used as otherwise generally known.

The particular waveform 500 is provided for illustrative purposes onlyand should not be limiting to the possible waveforms and combinations ofwaveform parts. For example one or more of the first and second portions502, 504 can include other shapes such as rectangular, triangular,trapezoidal, cosine squared, linear, and the like. Additionally therelative periods of the first and second portions 502, 504 can begreater or shorter without limitation that one portion be greater orshorter than the other portion. Nor is there any limitation whethereither of the first and second portions 502, 504 a continuous,discontinuance, uniform, or otherwise. It is conceivable that in atleast some embodiments the waveform 500 includes a third portion 506indicative of a primary charging coil current induced by interception ofa wireless response signal 419 (FIG. 4).

FIG. 5 B illustrates another example of a waveform of the composite coildriving current 407 (FIG. 4). In the illustrative example, the coildriving current waveform 510 includes a first portion 512 a, 512 b,generally 512 indicative of the first coil driving current 409 (FIG. 4).In the illustrative example, the first portion 512 includes a first sinewave having a relatively large amplitude and a relatively large period.In the illustrative example, the first portion is discontinuous orotherwise divided into a first sub portion 512 a and a second subportion 512 b separated by an intermediary blanking period 513—it isunderstood that other portions of the waveform 510 can include repeatedblanking periods 513 between extended segments of wireless power signal.Such blanking periods can be characterized by a complete turn off of thefirst coil driving current portion 409, or a reduction of the amplitudeof first coil driving current portion 409, e.g., by a factor of 2, 10,100 or more. In at least some embodiments the waveform 510 includes athird portion 516 indicative of a primary charging coil current inducedby interception of the wireless response signal 419 (FIG. 4). The replysignal of the third portion 516 is shown following the interrogationsignal of the second portion 514, separated by a buffer period 515. Itis understood that in at least some examples, the second portion 504 andthe third portion 516 can overlap, such that the interrogation andresponse signals are simultaneously present. In such instances, therelative periods or frequencies of the second portion 514 and the thirdportion 516 can differ to allow for their separate interpretation by wayof frequency selective components, such as filters and/or tank circuits.Such blanking periods can be advantageous in combination with low noiseamplifiers on those portions of a transponder receiver circuitconfigured to receiver the wireless reply signal. As illustrated, thethird portion 506 can similarly include an encoded message, such asanother BPSK message encoding the digital value of “101.” Although BPSKis used for illustrative purposes, it is understood that other signalencoding techniques can be included alone or in combination. By way offurther example, such signal encoding techniques can include amplitudemodulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation, pulse amplitudemodulation, frequency shift keying, pulse position modulation,quadrature amplitude modulation, and the like.

FIG. 5 C illustrates an example of a frequency spectrum of the coildriving current waveform 500 illustrated in FIG. 5A. In particular, afirst spectral component is provided at a first frequency ω₁ indicativeof the coil driving current portion 409 (FIG. 4) of the first portion502. A second spectral component is provided at a second frequency ω₂indicative of the second coil driving current 411 (FIG. 4) of the secondportion 504. A third spectral component is provided at a third frequencyω₃ indicative of the primary charging coil current induced byinterception of a wireless response signal 419 (FIG. 4) of the thirdportion 506. In the illustrative embodiment and without limitation,ω₃>ω₂>ω₁.

FIG. 6 illustrates operations 600 performable by a combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator in accordance with embodiments of inventivematter disclosed herein. The operations 600 comprise step 610 throughstep 650. In particular embodiments, the wireless charger may performone or more steps simultaneously.

In step 610, the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator wirelesslyreceives power by way of a first wireless power signal at a first devicelocated in a housing, the first device being a wireless power-receivingdevice. This step is shown in phantom to imply that in some embodimentsin which the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator receivesconducted electrical power (e.g., facility power), and/or operates froma separate power source, such as a battery source, step 610 can beomitted. It is also understood that the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator can charge one or more rechargeable batteriesfrom other sources, including conducted electrical power and/or wirelesspower received in step 610, such that the charged batteries can power toallow for operation as disclosed herein without either conductedelectrical power or a first wireless power signal. In step 620, thecombined wireless charger-and-interrogator generates a transmittingcoil-drive current. Generation of the transmitting coil-drive current isaccomplished responsive to the receiving of the first wireless powersignal for embodiments in which the first wireless power signal isreceived at a receiving coil of the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator. In step 630, the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator wirelessly transfers electrical power from thewireless power-transmitting device by way of a second wireless powersignal generated in response to generation of the coil-drive current. Instep 640, the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator generates awireless interrogation signal. As disclosed herein, the wirelessinterrogation signal can be generated using a common coil and/or antennaas used in generation of the second wireless power signal. The wirelessinterrogation signal is configured to cause a transponder withinwireless range of the wireless interrogation signal to generate awireless reply signal. In step 650, the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator receives the wireless reply signal from theinterrogated transponder.

FIG. 7 illustrates operations 700 performable by a combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator in accordance with embodiments of inventivematter disclosed herein. The operations 700 comprise step 710 throughstep 745. In step 710 a wireless power signal is generated by way of apower-charging coil or antenna stimulated by a coil-driving current. Insome embodiments the coil can be formed by one or more turns of anelectrical conductor. The terms of the coil can be opened air or fieldat least partially with another material such as materials to promoteefficient generation of electromagnetic fields. By way of example a coilfilling material can include ferrite materials. Although reference ismade herein to a single coil it is conceivable that an array of multiplecoils can serve a similar purpose. When multiple coils are provided,they can be connected in series, in parallel, or in combinations ofseries and parallel arrangements. By way of example, a rectangular arrayof coils can be arranged to cover a surface of the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator. A device to be charged can be placed adjacentto such a rectangular array of coils. Other physical arrangements, suchas non-planar arrangements, are envisioned without limitation.

In step 720, a wireless interrogation signal is generated, for example,by the power-charging coil. The wireless interrogation signal causes atransponder within a communication range of the wireless interrogationsignal to generate a wireless response signal. In step 730, the wirelessresponse signal is detected by the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator. In at least some embodiments the wirelessresponse signal is intercepted or otherwise received by the powercharging coil. In step 740 (shown in phantom), one or more features ofthe combined wireless charger-and-interrogator can be controlled,modified, or otherwise varied in response to the receiving of thewireless response signal of the transponder. In some embodiments, one ormore rules identifying such responses can be preprogrammed for exampleat step 735 (shown in phantom). Examples responses and preprogramming ofsuch responses are provided herein below, without limitation. It isunderstood that such rules can be used to control, modify, or otherwisevary other features of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogatorand or of ancillary devices, as in step 745 (shown in phantom). Examplesof such other features include without limitation security features,locking mechanisms, data recorders, image recorders, alarms, etc.

FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment of more detailed operations 800 aperformable by a combined wireless charger-and-interrogator inaccordance with embodiments of inventive matter disclosed herein. Thesesteps can be performed in association with either or both of steps 740and 745 (FIG. 7). The operations 800 a comprise step 802 through step808. In step 802, a status indication is received from a unit to becharged and/or from a unit already under charge by the wireless powercharging signal. In step 804, the generation of the wirelesspower-charging signal is adjusted in response to the status indicationreceived. For example, such a status indication can include a powercharge status of the unit to be charged. Thus, a status indicationreceived in step 802 might indicate whether a unit to be charged isfully charged, has a somewhat depleted charge, or has a critically lowcharge.

It can be advantageous to adjust the generation of the wireless powersignal in response to the particular status indication. According to theillustrative example, the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator canprevent generation of the wireless power charging signal in response toa status indication that a device about to be charged is already fullycharged. Likewise, the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator cangenerate a wireless power charging signal in response to a statusindication that the charging status of the unit about to be charged iseither partially depleted or critically low. The status information canbe recorded for example by a controller of the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator to support application of other preprogrammedrules. By way of example such rules may prevent wireless charging undercertain circumstances, such as time of day. However such prevention ofwireless charging can be overridden by a status indication that thecharging status of the unit to be charged is critically low.

In step 806, updated status indications can be received from time totime for the unit to be charged or the unit currently being charged bythe wireless power charging signal. In step 808, generation of thewireless power signal can be readjusted in response to any updatedstatus indication. As in the previous example in which a preference toblock charging for unit having a charge status that is critically low isoverridden can be altered when the charge status of the unit has changedfrom critically low. For example the unit, upon achieving a minimumthreshold charge, may no longer report a status of critically lowcharge. Noting the changes status the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator can revert to a preferred mode of operationsuch as prevention of charging according to the preprogrammed rules.

In some embodiments preprogramming of the wireless charging rules as instep 735 can be implemented to provide a measure of safety, for example,to guard against exposure to electromagnetic radiation as might begenerated by the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator. By way ofexample, preprogrammed wireless charging rules can be implemented toprevent wireless charging during certain time periods in whichindividuals are likely to be in close proximity to the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator. Such time periods can correspond to workinghours for a combined wireless charger-and-interrogator located in anoffice environment or evening hours and weekends for a combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator located in a home environment. In operation aunit to be charged placed in close proximity to the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator will be charged at least in part according tothe time and or day of the week. Thus, a combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator in an office would charge if the time is afterhours or if the day is a weekend.

Override features can be provided to allow charging to take placedespite preprogrammed time and/or date of the week preferences. Anexample of such a feature would be to allow and override of apreprogrammed rule to prevent charging, upon a determination that acharging status of the unit to be charged is indicating a critically lowcharge. Another example of such a feature would be to allow for a manualoverride, such as a user accessible button on the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator. In some embodiments the wireless charger andinterrogator can include in indicator, such as a light, that wirelesspower charging is taking place contrary to preferred schedule.

By way of further example, preprogrammed wireless charging rules can beimplemented to prevent and/or promote wireless charging responsive to aninterrogation of a transponder. Such transponders, e.g., RFID tags, canbe carried by individuals and/or placed on personal property. When theRFID tag is close enough to be interrogated and identified by thecombined wireless charger-and-interrogator it can be inferred that anyindividual and/or device associated with the RFID tag is likely to be inclose proximity to the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator. Forexample, wireless charging can be disabled when an RFID tag is detectedwithin proximity of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator. Insome embodiments RFID tags can be associated with individuals andclasses of individuals as described herein. One such class ofindividuals can include children who may be particularly susceptible tothe effects of electromagnetic radiation. Thus, an RFID tag can beplaced on a child's clothing and/or the child's personal property orequipment, such as an infant carrier, toy or stroller. Other classes ofindividuals can include adults.

The preprogrammed rules can infer a class or classes of individuals inproximity of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator according tointerrogation replies from a transponder. For example, the combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator can completely terminate wirelesscharging upon detection of an RFID tag associated with a child; whereas,the same combined wireless charger-and-interrogator can reduce chargingto a lower power mode, such as a trickle charge, upon detection of anRFID tag associated with an adult. Additional rules can be provided forexample at step 735 to allow for interaction between rules associatedwith RFID tags and rules associated with other aspects such as time andday of the week. Alternatively or in addition individual RFID tags canbe associated with customized or preprogrammed rules irrespective of anindividual, a class of individuals, an entity, and so forth.

Various power and/or charging control features are disclosed hereinrelate to use of the wireless charger-and-interrogator with a separateor supporting wireless power source. Examples of such supportingwireless power sources include the first wireless charger 302 (FIG. 3A),providing a first wireless power signal to power the wirelesscharger-and-interrogator. It is understood that any of the various powerand/or charging control features disclosed herein as controlling orotherwise modifying generation of a wireless power signal by thewireless charger and interrogator, can also be used to control wirelesspower signal produced by the other wireless power source. Such extensionof control features from the wireless charger-and-interrogator can beprovided, for example, through a communications channel establishedbetween the charger-and-interrogator and the other wireless powersource. An example of such a communications channel is illustrated bythe communications 310 of FIG. 3A. Thus, modification of a wirelesspower signal for charging the device to be charged, e.g., a secondwireless power signal, can also result in a modification of a wirelesspower signal from the other wireless power source.

FIG. 8B illustrates another embodiment of more detailed operations 800 bperformable by a combined wireless charger-and-interrogator inaccordance with embodiments of inventive subject matter disclosedherein. These steps can be performed in association with either or bothof steps 740 and 745 (FIG. 7). The operations 800 b comprise step 822through step 828. In step 822, information is obtained from the wirelessresponse signal. For example the information can include a means ofidentification such as an identification code. It is common for RFIDtransponders to wirelessly return a signal encoded with anidentification number, such as a universal product code (UPC) and/or aunique serial number, upon interrogation. In some embodiments, one ormore rules can be preprogrammed as in step 824 (shown in phantom). Suchpreprogrammed rules can be implemented in response to the determining ofthe identity associated with the wireless response signal as in step822.

In some embodiments generation of the wireless power charging signal canbe adjusted or otherwise altered according to the preprogrammed rulesimplemented in step 826 upon the determining of the identity associatedwith the response signal in step 822. By way of example and withoutlimitation the rules corresponding to the identity in step 826 caninclude an authorization responsive to the determining of the identityassociated with a wireless response signal in step 822.

As the transponder may be associated with an individual, a class ofindividuals, an entity, and the like, such authorization can bedetermined for the associated individual, class of individuals, entity,and so forth. Such authorizations can be preprogrammed as in step 824 toallow for managed authorization that can be configured and/orreconfigured responsive to preprogramming of the rules in step 824. Thusin individual can associate one or more identities with one or moretransponders having known identification codes, such that theiridentities can be inferred by the detection of the identification codeof the transponder in response to wireless interrogation by the combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator. Transponders can be carried by anindividual for example on an identification card, a key fob, or othersuitable token. Alternatively or in addition, transponders can beassociated with property. Some examples of property that can beidentified by such transponders include electronic equipment such ascomputers, communication devices, entertainment devices, power tools,transportation devices, documents, briefcases, hand bags, furniture,wireless power charging harnesses, and the like.

In some embodiments a unit to be charged includes a transponder, such asan RFID tag. As the unit is placed nearby to the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator the combined wireless charger-and-interrogatorinterrogates the RFID tag causing the tag to generate a wireless reply.The combined wireless charger-and-interrogator receives the wirelessreply from the nearby unit and interprets encoded information containedwithin the reply, such as an identification code of the RFID tag. Thecontroller of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator or aserver, such as the remote server 112 illustrated in FIG. 1, candetermine whether the identification code of the RFID tag is associatedwith an authorized individual or entity. The controller and/or servercan be preprogrammed to take one or more first actions in response to adetermination that the RFID tag is associated with an authorizedindividual or entity, and/or to take one or more second actions inresponse to a determination that the RFID tag is not associated with anauthorized individual, or class of individuals, or entity.

For example, generation of the wireless power charging signal can beallowed in response to determination that the RFID tag is associatedwith an authorized individual, or class of individuals, or entity.Classes of individuals can include family members, employees, students,club members, and the like. Entities can include businesses, schools,clubs, other organizations, and the like. In at least some embodiments,authorization to access of products and/or services can be made furthercontingent upon one or more additional preprogrammed rules in step 824.By way of example an authorized individual can be associated with anaccount such as a user account, a loyalty awards account, or a prepaidaccount, e.g., for membership in an organization, for purchase ofservices, such as wireless power charging services, and the like. Suchadditional rules can cause the controller and/or server to consult anaccount status of the authorized individual and or entity. Authorizationto access the products and/or services can be contingent upon firstidentifying the individual and/or entity as being authorized anddetermining an appropriate account status, such as paid up, active, andthe like.

Further rules can be preprogrammed in step 824, for example, to allowthe individual or entity to interact with another application, such asand account management application, as in step 828 to perform othertasks related to management of an account, etc. Thus, upon determinationthat an account has insufficient resources to allow access to theproducts or services sought by the authorized individual associated withthe RFID tag, access to the corresponding account can be provided to theauthorized individual or entity to allow for a replenishment of theresources in order to access the products or services sought. In someembodiments the replenishment can be automated such that upon adetermination that the corresponding account has insufficient resources,the account can be automatically updated to add resources, for example,by way of a preapproved means, such as a valid credit card, or access toa bank account.

By way of further example, one or more second actions in response to adetermination that the RFID tag is not associated with an authorizedindividual, or class of individuals, or entity can include generation ofa message indicating that access to products and/or resources, such asthe wireless power charging services discussed herein, is being soughtby an unauthorized individual or entity. Such a message can becommunicated to a remote entity, such as a remote authorizationapplication running on the server, to a remote service provider, tosecurity authorities such as building security or law enforcement, byway of a wired and/or wireless telecommunication network, cellular,WiFi, etc. Alternatively or in addition, the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator can provide an indication of a locationassociated with the attempted unauthorized access. The location can beobtained from a location determining device, such as a GPS receiverand/or from a predetermined location of the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator. In some embodiments an approximation of thelocation can be determined from another device, such as a wirelessaccess point through which a wireless version of the message was sent.

FIG. 8C illustrates another embodiment of more detailed operations 800 cperformable by a combined wireless charger-and-interrogator inaccordance with embodiments of inventive matter disclosed herein. Thesesteps can be performed in association with either or both of steps 740and 745 (FIG. 7). The operations 800 c comprise step 842 through step848. In step 842, information is obtained from the wireless responsesignal, such as an identification code associated with a transponderthat generated the wireless response signal. In step 844, a securitydevice can be operated in response to the determining of the identityassociated with the wireless response signal as in step 842. For examplea security device can include a locking mechanism that can be controlledin response to the identity associated with a wireless response signal.Such security devices including locking mechanisms can be used to lockor otherwise secure one or more items. The items can include the unit tobe charged. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200 includes a locking mechanism 323. Lockingmechanism 323 can be used to secure the unit under charge 322 to one ormore of the locking mechanism itself 323 or the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200, either of which can be anchored to asecure structure, such as the tabletop 304, in order to present removalof the unit under charge 322 from the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200, while locked.

In some embodiments the unit under charge 322 is placed within acontainer, such as a briefcase, handbag, security container, and thelike. The container can be placed upon the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator 200, such that wireless charging of the unitunder charge 322 can occur wirelessly through the container. In at leastsome embodiments, referring to FIG. 3B, a container 200′ itself servesas the charger and interrogator, for example, including components andfunctionality disclosed in relation to FIG. 1-2 and FIG. 4. The lockingmechanism 323′ can be used to control access to an interior of thecontainer 200′ as disclosed herein. The locking mechanism 323, 323′ canbe used to secure the container as described above in relation to theunit under charge 322. Alternatively or in addition the lockingmechanism can be configured to lock or otherwise secure the unit undercharge within the container. For example the locking mechanism can be alocking mechanism of the briefcase. Removal of either the briefcase orthe unit under charge from the briefcase can be prevented or otherwisecontrol by way of a separate transponder (e.g., RFID tag). An authorizeduser holding such an RFID tag that when brought in close proximity tothe combined wireless charger-and-interrogator, allows foridentification of the holder of the RFID tag as an authorizedindividual. Any of the locking mechanisms disclosed herein can beunlocked or otherwise unsecured, for example by an unlocking commandfrom one or more of the controller or the server, upon detection of theRFID tag associated with the authorized individual. The lockingmechanism can remain locked or otherwise secured upon interrogation ofanother RFID tag not associated with an authorized individual or failureto detect such an RFID tag.

In step 846, a determination of an approximate physical location of asource of the wireless reply signal, e.g., a transponder, can bedetermined. Such determination can be obtained by an estimation that thetransponder is close to the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator.When the location of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator isknown a priori, the approximate location of the transponder can beinferred. Alternatively or in addition, a location of the transpondercan be inferred from a location of the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator obtained by an external location source, suchas a GPS receiver. Step 846 is shown in phantom suggesting that it is anoptional step.

In step 848, one or more messages can be sent upon determination that anattempted and/or actual access to or movement of the unit under charge.The messages can include one or more categories of information, such asinformation identifying the type of message, e.g., unauthorizedmovement, information identifying an associated time of day and/or date,a location, etc. Step 848 is shown in phantom suggesting that it is anoptional step.

Particular embodiments of wireless chargers disclosed herein can operatein accordance with one of a plurality of power-transmission protocols.These wireless charges are referred to herein as programmable.

In some embodiments, a web portal can be hosted by server applicationsoperating from the server 112 illustrated in FIG. 1. Applications caninclude one or more of authentication applications to manage and trackauthorized usage and/or unauthorized attempted usage. Alternatively orin addition, applications can include controlling a security device,such as a locking mechanism, in response to determination of anauthorized/non-authorized transponder in the vicinity of the combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator. Still other applications can allowfor management of operation of the wireless charger to selectivelyprevent wireless charging in relation to safety concerns, and/ormanaging user accounts, for example, to provide wireless chargingservices for fee. In a general sense, a general programming applicationcan be provided to allow for development and implementation of usercustomizable applications.

The web portal can be used for managing services of the combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator and other services supported by thecombined wireless charger-and-interrogator. A web page of the web portalcan be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with an Internetbrowser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer™, Mozilla's Firefox™,Apple's Safari™, or Google's Chrome™ using an Internet-capablecommunication device, such as a personal computer, a portable computer,such as a laptop, a tablet computing device, and a mobile communicationdevice, such as a feature phone or smart phone. The web portal can beconfigured, for example, to access the user-configurable controller 434,and services managed thereby such as security services, providingcontrollable access to one or more devices, safety services providingcontrol of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator to reduce oreliminate generation of a second wireless power signal under certainconditions, business applications, such as providing wireless chargingservices responsive to identified equipment, identified individuals,identified accounts and/or identified status of such accounts, etc. Theweb portal can also be used for provisioning wireless power chargingservices described herein, provisioning other services to equipmentand/or authorized users associated with equipment to be charged, and soon.

The communication devices usable with any of the equipment, devices andsystems disclosed herein can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver, a wireless remote control, a power supply, a locationreceiver, a motion sensor, an orientation sensor, and a controller formanaging operations thereof. The transceiver can support short-range orlong-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, WiFi,DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention a few.Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA,GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other nextgeneration wireless communication technologies as they arise. Thetransceiver can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wirelineaccess technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline accesstechnologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof.

The user interface 436 can include a depressible or touch-sensitivekeypad with a navigation or pointing mechanism such as a roller ball, ajoystick, a mouse, or a navigation disk for manipulating operations ofthe combined wireless charger-and-interrogator. The keypad can be anintegral part of a housing assembly of the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting, for example, Bluetooth. The keypad canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The user interface 436 can furtherinclude a display such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable displaytechnology for conveying images to an end user of the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator. In an embodiment where the display istouch-sensitive, a portion or all of the keypad can be presented by wayof the display with navigation/pointing features.

The user interface 436 can also include an audio system that utilizesaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem can also be used for voice recognition applications. The userinterface 436 can further include an image sensor such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The controller 434 can utilize computing technologies such as amicroprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), programmable gatearrays, application specific integrated circuits, and/or a videoprocessor with associated storage memory such as Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM,DRAM or other storage technologies for executing computer instructions,controlling, and processing data supplied by the aforementionedcomponents of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator.

Other components not shown in the figures can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the combinedwireless charger-and-interrogator can include a reset button (notshown). The reset button can be used to reset the user-configurablecontroller 210, 434 of the combined wireless charger-and-interrogator200, 400. In yet another embodiment, the combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator can also include a factory default settingbutton operable to force the combined wireless charger-and-interrogatorto re-establish factory settings. The combined wirelesscharger-and-interrogator can also include a slot for adding or removinganother module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. SIMcards can be used for identifying subscriber services, executingprograms, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, the interrogator can be replaced bya wireless transceiver adapted to communicate with a remote transceiveror transponder according to the various techniques disclosed herein.Such wireless interrogation and/or communications can include near-fieldcommunicators and far-field communicators. Such modes of wirelessinterrogation can include one or more of radio frequency communications,acoustic communications or light wave communications. Other embodimentscan be used in the subject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 900 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods describe above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the server 112 (FIG. 1), the control circuitry210 (FIG. 2), the power handling circuitry 410, the interrogator 420,and the user configurable controller 434 (FIG. 4). In some embodiments,the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network 926) to othermachines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in thecapacity of a server or a client user machine in server-client usernetwork environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a control device of the subject disclosure includesbroadly any electronic device that provides a control capability.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 900 may include a processor (or controller) 902(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU,or both), a main memory 904 and a static memory 906, which communicatewith each other via a bus 908. The computer system 900 may furtherinclude a display unit 910 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flatpanel, or a solid state display. The computer system 900 may include aninput device 912 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 914 (e.g.,a mouse), a disk drive unit 916, a signal generation device 918 (e.g., aspeaker or remote control) and a network interface device 920. Indistributed environments, the embodiments described in the subjectdisclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 910controlled by two or more computer systems 900. In this configuration,presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shownin a first of the display units 910, while the remaining portion ispresented in a second of the display units 910.

The disk drive unit 916 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 922 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 924) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 924 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within one or more computer-readable storage devices, such as the mainmemory 904, the static memory 906, and/or within the processor 902during execution thereof by the computer system 900. The main memory 904and the processor 902 also may constitute tangible computer-readablestorage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices that can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor or other forms of instructionsmanifested as a state machine implemented with logic components in anapplication specific integrated circuit or field programmable array.Furthermore, software implementations can include, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. It is furthernoted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a statemachine or other suitable device for executing instructions to performoperations on a controllable device may perform such operations on thecontrollable device directly or indirectly by way of an intermediatedevice directed by the computing device.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 922 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 800.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,can be used in the subject disclosure.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless charger, comprising: a housingcomprising: a wireless power-receiving device comprising receivecircuitry and a receive coil located within the housing; a separatewireless power-transmitting device comprising transmit circuitry and atransmit coil located within the housing; a power-handling controllercomprising electronic hardware connecting the receive circuitry with thetransmit circuitry and located within the housing to transfer the powerreceived by the wireless power-receiving device to the wirelesspower-transmitting device; and interrogation circuitry in communicationwith the transmit coil, comprising: signal transmitting circuitry tocause the transmit coil to generate a wireless interrogation signal; andsignal receiving circuitry to obtain information from a wirelessinterrogation response signal in response to the transmit coil receivingthe wireless interrogation response signal, wherein the wireless chargeris capable of simultaneously receiving power wirelessly and transmittingthe power wirelessly from the power-transmitting device outside of thewireless charger, wherein the wireless charger is also capable ofaccomplishing at least one of transmitting the wireless interrogationsignal and obtaining the information from the wireless interrogationresponse signal.
 2. The wireless charger of claim 1, wherein the signaltransmitting circuitry comprises a modulator to modulate a coil-drivingcurrent of the transmit coil to cause the wireless interrogation signalto induce the wireless interrogation response signal from a transponderpositioned externally to the housing.
 3. The wireless charger of claim1, wherein the signal receiving circuitry comprises a demodulator toobtain information from a current induced in the transmit coilresponsive to the wireless interrogation response signal.
 4. Thewireless charger of claim 1, wherein the wireless interrogation responsesignal is received from a transponder selected from a group consistingof: a radio frequency identification device; a near field communicationdevice; and combinations thereof.
 5. The wireless charger of claim 1,further comprising a security device in communication with theinterrogation circuitry, wherein the security device is controllableaccording to the wireless interrogation response signal.
 6. The wirelesscharger of claim 5, wherein the security device comprises a lockingmechanism to provide a locking feature.
 7. The wireless charger of claim1, further comprising: a user-configurable controller in communicationwith the power-handling controller and the interrogation circuitry; anda user interface to support configuration of the user-configurablecontroller.
 8. A method, comprising: receiving, by a system comprising aprocessor, a first wireless power signal by way of a power-receivingcoil; generating, by the system, a transmitting coil-drive currentresponsive to the receiving of the first wireless power signal;generating, by the system, a second wireless power signal, by way of apower-transmitting coil, in response to the generating of thetransmitting coil-drive current; transmitting, by the system, a wirelessinterrogation signal, by way of the power-transmitting coil, to cause atransponder to generate a wireless interrogation reply signal; andreceiving, by the system, by way of the power-transmitting coil, thewireless interrogation reply signal.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising adjusting, by the system, the transmitting coil-drive currentresponsive to the receiving of the wireless interrogation reply signal.10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: determining, by thesystem, a charge status of a unit charging from the second wirelesspower signal; and modifying, by the system, the adjusting of thetransmitting coil-drive current responsive to the charge status.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising determining, by the system, fromthe wireless interrogation reply signal, an identity associated with thetransponder.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising adjustingthe transmitting coil-drive current responsive to the identity.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising controlling a security mechanismresponsive to the identity.
 14. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: determining, by the system, an approximation of a physicallocation of the transponder; and reporting, by the system, theapproximation of the physical location to an application server.
 15. Awireless-charging system, comprising: a power-receiving coil to generatean electrical current in response to a first wireless power signal;power conversion circuitry coupled to the power-receiving coil toconvert the electrical current to a coil-driving current; apower-transmitting coil coupled to the power conversion circuitry totransmit a second wireless power signal responsive to the coil-drivingcurrent, to transmit an interrogation signal to cause a transponder togenerate a wireless reply signal, and to receive the wireless replysignal; and a controller in communication with the power-transmittingcoil, wherein the controller comprises: a memory to store computerinstructions; and a processor in communication with the memory, whereinthe processor, responsive to executing the computer instructions,performs operations comprising: determining from the wireless replysignal that the transponder is proximate to the power-transmitting coil.16. The wireless-charging system of claim 15, wherein the operationsfurther comprise adjusting, by the system, the coil-driving currentresponsive to the receiving of the wireless reply signal.
 17. Thewireless-charging system of claim 16, wherein the operations furthercomprise: determining a charge status of a unit charging from the secondwireless power signal; and modifying the adjusting of the coil-drivingcurrent responsive to the charge status.
 18. The wireless-chargingsystem of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise determiningfrom the wireless reply signal, an identity associated with thetransponder.
 19. The wireless-charging system of claim 18, wherein theoperations further comprise adjusting the coil-driving currentresponsive to the identity.
 20. The wireless-charging system of claim18, wherein the operations further comprise controlling a securitymechanism responsive to the identity.
 21. The wireless-charging systemof claim 20, wherein the operations further comprise: determining anapproximation of a physical location of the transponder; and reporting,by the system, the approximation of the physical location to anapplication server.